Announcing our new Board of Trustees
The IFE hosted its first hybrid AGM earlier this week, welcoming members from all around the world online and in-person at Stratford-upon-Avon.
The event marked a pivotal moment for us—not just in terms of technology and logistics, but in our ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and global engagement. It was a critical step for the IFE, ensuring that all members, regardless of location, had the opportunity to participate, contribute, and feel connected to the work and direction of the institution.
We were thrilled to witness a remarkable surge in member attendance at the AGM, reflecting growing engagement and enthusiasm across our community.
During the AGM we introduced the membership to our newly appointed Board of Trustee Directors, a dynamic and diverse group of leaders who bring a wealth of experience, insight, and dedication to our mission.
Introducing new members of the Board
We are delighted to welcome Ryan Cleggett to the Board who was elected by the International General Assembly. Ryan is a fire officer with over 20 years’ experience in both career and volunteer roles across multiple Australian fire and rescue agencies. He holds Master’s degrees in Fire Safety Engineering and Occupational Safety, as well as an MBA from the University of Sydney, and has led roles in fire safety engineering, operations, risk assessment, and emergency planning. Since 2019, Ryan has been an active board member of the IFE Australia branch board and is currently the Vice Leader of the IFE International General Assembly.
We also welcome Roy Little to the Board, appointed by the IFE Registrants Group (IFERG). Roy brings over 20 years of fire engineering experience, with a strong background in statutory requirements and functional objectives of fire safety legislation. His career includes roles at the NHS and Arup, and he now serves as Associate Director at Design Fire Consultants where he leads fire engineering projects from inception to handover and drives strategic initiatives across the company, focusing on technical improvements, standardisation, recruitment, and R&D. An active IFE member, Roy chairs the Facade Special Interest Group (SIG), sits on the technical panel, and volunteers as a Professional Report Reviewer and an IEng and CEng interviewer.
Alongside Ryan and Roy, the leader of the International General Assembly, Jason Hill, joins the Board as a co-opted trustee for one year. Jason is an active member of the IFE and has played an instrumental role shaping the New Zealand branch. As an Assistant Fire Commander, Jason combines his frontline experience with a strategic vision for global collaboration.
We are also delighted to confirm a second co-opted position which has been sought externally to further strengthen the Board’s range of skills and experience. Jacqueline Lewis has been co-opted to serve for three years until the 2028 AGM and brings a strong legal background, which will add valuable expertise to the Board’s governance and oversight functions.
This new appointed board reflects our commitment to strong governance, strategic growth, and inclusive leadership. Each trustee brings a unique perspective and a shared passion for advancing our goals and serving our community with integrity and vision.
We extend our sincere thanks to our outgoing trustees Chris Bilby, James Lane, Parina Patel and Hao-Giang Tay for their invaluable service and leadership. Each has played a pivotal role during their tenure, contributing significantly to the early development of the IFE strategy taking us into 2025 and beyond.
View the Board of Trustee Directors here.